The winter season starts in Drachselsried

The 19th October is the first time this winter for Kesselfleisch at the Gasthaus zur Eiche. It is expected to be very busy. Many guests are there from 17.30, but it does not start until 19.00. Time for a few beers.

The Kirwa is open

Every year Drachselsried holds a Kirwa festival, which this year runs from 31st August until 3rd September. A very rainy start to this years festival, but it did not stop the procession. Saturday was a little better and the rain held off during the open air street market.

Freshly grilled chicken this Saturday 7th July

Sitting outside on a Saturday evening with friends, eating a portion of freshly grilled chicken and drinking a glass of beer from the local Falter brewery. Can be busy at this once a month summer evening. Very good value.

See you there.

Freshly baked bread, every Saturday in Drachselsried

Every Saturday, summer and winter, bread is baked using the traditional Bavarian method in Drachselsried.  Bread has been baked like this for more than hundred years. The photos show a mobile and a standard baking oven.

A wood fire is the first step, to heat the oven to the correct baking temperature, the remaining wood and ash are removed, the hot stones are cleaned ready for baking. Baking the bread takes about one hour fifteen, to an hour thirty minutes.

Clearing the burnt wood from the oven

Ready prepared bread mixture

Marking the bread with a cross

The Bread is ready for baking

The freshly baked bread is ready.

Waiting for the customers.

A son of the baking couple built this traditional "Backofen" Backing Oven. For German viewers the link is www.ofenbau-zelzer.de 

Drachselsried Maypole

On May 1st Drachselsried used the traditional method to raise the village Maypole or Maibaum. A team of horses, brought the fresh tree, already prepared the Bavarian way to the village centre. A team of volunteers, including members of the local Fire Station, used a techniques which has been used for many years. The tractor you see in one photo is only there for safety, with a cable to the Maypole, just in case.

As is normal, Drachselsried celebrated the New Year with fireworks

As the local church bells strike midnight, the fireworks started. It is traditional in most of Europe, especially in Germany. Bavaria always does a good job. It's great being part of the village life and seeing in the New Year with friends.

I will be creating a short video for YouTube, details here shortly.

Pete

Energy is expensive and not good for the environment

Living in a small village you become aware of small changes. Recently I have noticed the number of properties that are installing solar photovoltaic panels.

Done all the normal things, low energy lighting, use the car less, insulating, and now we are adding 12.5Kw of solar energy. What we do not use is sold to the local energy company at a profit. Seems like I can help reduce climate change and save money.

Pete